Everton had a surprisingly quiet transfer window in January, but results under Carlo Ancelotti suggest that this isn’t a significant problem.
After Ancelotti took charge of his first Everton match on Boxing Day, rumours surrounded the club and the potential signings the Italian manager would make.
Despite an upturn in form under interim manager Duncan Ferguson, earning five points from a possible nine under his charge, the club still lingered towards the bottom quarter of the Premier League table.
Big-name players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic were even rumoured to be linked with a move to Goodison Park, with the club desperate to claw its way back from a disappointing start under former manager Marco Silva.
With this in mind, it may be a surprise to many that the Toffees didn’t make a single first-team player signing throughout the entire January window, which closed at 11pm last Friday.
The club did make one signing, however, with 17-year-old centre back Jarrad Branthwaite arriving on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Carlisle United, linking up with the Everton Under-23 squad.
Rejecting a reported £85 million bid from Barcelona for star forward Richarlison was arguably the club’s biggest move last month, but results since Ancelotti took charge suggest that things are just fine at Goodison Park.
Since his first match in charge, a 1-0 win at home against Burnley, the Toffees have played seven league matches; winning four, drawing two and losing just once against reigning champions Manchester City.
This type of form, including the sensational comeback victory over Watford this past weekend, has seen Everton climb back up to ninth in the Premier League table, with just three points separating them for Sheffield United in sixth.
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At the time of Silva’s sacking, ninth position would have been a dream position for Everton fans, but now the team is playing in such a way that loftier expectations are likely to start emerging.
Ancelotti’s patient approach to his new team, which have responded exceptionally without any new additions, shows just how great a manager he is.
If he is able to make some important upgrades during the summer transfer window, then things could be looking far rosier in the blue half of Liverpool once again.
What do you think Toffee fans? How impressed have you been with Ancelotti? Are you okay with the quiet January window? Who should the club target in the summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!